Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of questions from fans on ChicagoBears.com.

Why was the Bears punter penalized for bringing a towel on the field? I've seen other players do that, especially for field goals, without getting flagged. Robert W. Lake in the Hills, Illinois

Rookie holder Trenton Gill was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in Sunday's soggy season opener because he used the towel to try to sop up some of the standing water where he was going to place Cairo Santos' 47-yard field goal attempt late in the first half of the Bears' 19-10 win over the 49ers. We've all seen players bring towels on the field to dry their hands. Some centers back in the day would have towels hanging out of the back of their pants so the quarterback could dry his hands before taking the snap. But Gill was penalized because drying off the field would provide "an unfair advantage." In an interview with a pool reporter after the game, referee Clay Martin explained the call, saying: "You cannot bring what we consider a foreign object – this was not a towel that would go on a uniform – out to alter the playing surface. We felt that provided an unfair advantage, using the towel to wipe down the area where the ball was going to be placed … If he used it to wipe his hands and had thrown it away, we would have been okay with it. To put it on the ground and alter the playing surface where we were going to spot the ball, that's why we called a penalty."

How worried should we be about Cairo Santos missing two extra point attempts against the 49ers? Steven B. Glenwood, Illinois

I'm not concerned at all. With a downpour flooding the field midway through the second half, Cairo Santos was basically kicking out of a kiddie pool. So I don't think you can read anything into that at all. He did take responsibility for the misses after the game. But like I said, I don't blame him at all. Here's what he said in the locker room: "It was challenging. Every time I planted my foot, [it was] sinking in standing water. So just challenging. It's my job to execute and I didn't do that. I'm disappointed how my kicks went in the game. It's not how I envisioned it based on how the warmups went. I thought I handled that good. Sometimes it's just like that and I've got to bounce back." I've seen some people on Twitter mention that the 49ers' Robbie Gould made both of his kicks—an extra point and field goal—but they were both before the field conditions worsened late in the third quarter.

It was interesting to me to see Justin Fields wearing gloves in the wet conditions. I was wondering if you knew what went into his decision to do so. Henry P. Chicago

Knowing that Sunday's forecast called for steady rain, Bears quarterback Justin Fields did some experimenting during the week in practice and found that he liked wearing gloves. Here's what he told reporters after the game: "I knew it was going to rain, so earlier in the week, I was practicing throwing the wet balls with gloves and I just kind of liked how it felt with the gloves. I tried to go no gloves the first or second series, but the ground was just so wet. It wasn't even raining, but the ground was just so wet from the rain earlier that it was just safer to go with the gloves."

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses whether the Bears will target receiver Darnell Mooney more, if the Bears have tapped into offensive coordinator Luke Getsy's knowledge of the Packers and the likelihood of Khalil Herbert supplanting David Montgomery as the starting running back.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the key to the Bears winning their season opener, how the steady rain that's expected Sunday could affect the game and the difference between a player being waived and released.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears waiver pickup who will make the biggest impact this season, the waiver process and if any players the Bears released were signed by other teams.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses what accounts for the Bears' reduction in penalties this preseason, how the defense will fare this season and the last time the Bears had an undefeated preseason.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses who he thinks will start the season opener at right guard, the departure of second-year receiver Dazz Newsome and the chances of backup quarterback Trevor Siemian getting first-team reps.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses rookie linebacker Jack Sanborn's chances of making the Bears' 53-man roster where offensive coordinator Luke Getsy will coach from during games and the battle for the No. 2 receiver spot.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses who could be the Bears' best fantasy football player, the most fun individual matchup to watch in training camp and if the Bears can put receiver N'Keal Harry on the PUP list.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the Bears' most improved player, the competitors for the punt and kickoff return jobs and the undrafted free agent who has made the biggest impact as a Bears rookie over the last 50 years.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses how rookie safety Elijah Hicks has performed in training camp, the player he's most interested to watch practice in pads and how aggressive coach Matt Eberflus will be on fourth down.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses who stood out in the Bears' first training camp practice, how much of a boost veteran offensive linemen Riley Reiff and Michael Schofield will provide and whether it's better to have the NFL's No. 1 offense or defense.

Senior writer Larry Mayer discusses the acquisition of receiver N'Keal Harry, the likelihood of defensive end Charles Snowden earning a roster spot and if players will be permitted to sign autographs during training camp.

© Chicago Bears. All rights reserved.